R 288

2019 -- S 0874 Enacted 05/14/2019

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING AND CELEBRATING "NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND FROM MAY 12 THROUGH MAY 18, 2019

Introduced By: Senators Goldin, Gallo, Morgan, Quezada, and Ruggerio

Date Introduced: May 14, 2019

WHEREAS, Every Rhode Islander should have the opportunity to live the healthiest life

possible, in the healthiest community possible. One’s ZIP code, gender identity, race, ethnicity,

language, sexual orientation, disability status, religion, occupation, income, age, or level of

education should not determine one’s health; and

WHEREAS, Up to eighty percent of health outcomes are determined outside the doctor’s

office, inside our communities. The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and

play can shape health in profound and long-lasting ways; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is committed to

advancing health equity, so that every Rhode Islander in every community has a fair and just

opportunity for good health; and

WHEREAS, Women are the custodians of family health and play a critical role in

maintaining the overall well-being of their families and communities. However, because of the

many roles women play as primary caregivers, providers, spouses, mothers, and grandmothers, all

too often women neglect their own health needs; and

WHEREAS, Women of color have experienced glaring health disparities, and have

disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and certain forms

of cancer; and

WHEREAS, Advancing women’s health equity requires removing obstacles to health

such as poverty, racism, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and

lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, and safe environments;

and

WHEREAS, Annually, during National Women's Health Week, millions of women take

steps to improve their health. The week serves as a reminder for women to make their health a

priority and build positive health habits for life; and

WHEREAS, The 20th annual National Women's Health Week kicks off on Mother's Day,

May 12, and is celebrated through May 18, 2019. The United States Department of Health and

Human Services' Office on Women’s Health leads National Women’s Health Week to encourage

all women to be as healthy as possible; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health’s Health Equity Institute, in

partnership with Sista Fire, invites community members across the State to shine a spotlight on

the many factors that adversely affect women’s health, form partnerships to create a healthier

state for all, and foster social and multi-cultural connectedness among women across Rhode

Island; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby commemorates and celebrates “National Women’s Health Week” from May 12 through

May 18, 2019, and encourages all Rhode Islanders to support efforts to make women’s health and

equity a shared priority; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of

the United States, Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island

Congressional Delegation, and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director, Rhode Island

Department of Health.

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LC002612

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